Wipes Canister

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes an indentation extending over the top surface onto the side surface of a lid and a cover that secures over at least a portion of the indentation. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes a cover that extends over the top surface and a portion of the side surface of the lid top. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes a recessed well beneath the lid. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes an ergonomic gripping recess on the lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging containers fordispensing wipes. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to apackaging container designed to store and dispense vertically configuredwipes.

2. Description of Related Art

The type of packaging container is important for the efficient storageand effective dispensing of wipes. Also, if a packaging container iscomfortable and simple to use, then it is more attractive to customersrelative to competing products.

For that reason, packaging containers for wipes are widely available inmany sizes, shapes, and designs. However, many traditional containers donot adequately allow users to comfortably grip the container, nor easilyremove wipes. Lids are not easily reclosed without a customer having tomanipulate the head of the wipe that is protruding from thespecially-designed opening. For example, when a single wipe is removedthrough the dispensing opening, the next wipe tends to fall back throughthe opening. Container lids often push the wipes back through theopening, causing a user to have to rethread the wipes each time thecontainer is opened. In addition, because the lids directly contact theprotruding wipe when closed, the moisture from the wipe is squeezed out.Accordingly, there is a need for an improved packaging containerproviding an improved grip and a more efficient dispensing mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To answer this need, the present invention provides in one embodiment adispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining aninterior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached to the containerbase, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the body having a topsurface and side surface; an indentation extending over the top surfaceonto to the side surface; and wherein the cover secures over at least aportion of the indentation and the cover extends over the top surfaceonto at least a portion of the side surface of the body or the coverextends over only a portion of the body top surface.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a dispensercomprises a container base defining an interior compartment for storingwipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes acover and a body, the body having a top surface and a side surface andthe cover extending over the top surface onto at least a portion of theside surface; and a recessed well in the body that includes at least oneopening for dispensing wipes, wherein the recessed well creates a spacebeneath the cover when the cover is in a closed position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a dispensercomprises a container base defining an interior compartment for storingwipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes acover and a body, the cover pivotally attached to the body; and anergonomic gripping recess along the outer periphery of the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a closed container for dispensingwipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an open lid for a container,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a closed lid for a container,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a closed lid for a container,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a closed lid for a container,according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an open container for dispensingwipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a container for dispensing wipes,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a container for dispensing wipes,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Representative embodiments of the present disclosure and theiradvantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a productcontainer for dispensing wipes. Although in embodiments, wipes aredescribed as being pre-moistened and stored in an interfoldedconfiguration, it will be understood that the wipes may be dry orsemi-dry, and stored in any suitable manner that allows for dispensingthe wipes. Further, although the container may generally be made ofplastic material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, it will beunderstood that the container may be made of any suitable material. Itwill also be understood that the containers shown in the embodiments arenot limited to any particular size or shape.

The container for use in the present invention may be relatively rigid,such as that described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,025 or inWO-A-2005/091981. Typically, rigid or semi-rigid body portions are madefrom thermoformed material, molded plastic, polymeric material,metallized or laminate structures, lined paperboards or cardboardmaterials. Alternatively, a suitable body portion for use herein may bemade from flexible material such as a multilayered polymeric film. Thebody portion for use in the present invention being preferably rigid,the disclosure herein will be primarily directed towards rigidembodiments of the present invention, but it is not so limited.Preferably, said body portion is constructed from lightweightthermoplastic material, such as polypropylene.

In a preferred execution of the present invention, the wipes arepre-moistened wipes, sometimes referred to as wet wipes, or towelettes.In that specific preferred embodiment of the present invention,pre-moistened wipes are impregnated with an appropriate cleansing orcleaning lotion. In a highly preferred embodiment, the pre-moistenedwipes for use in the present invention, are impregnated with ahard-surface cleaning lotion. Suitable lotions for use in the context ofthe present invention as well as optional ingredients which may beincorporated in said lotion are described for example in WO 03/031557under the paragraph entitled “Aqueous Composition” from page 12 to page36. As above-indicated, the body portion for use herein forms aninternal space or pocket for housing the vertically configured wipescontained within the dispensing container. The wipes may be packaged inthe dispensing container in any convenient configuration which allowseasy removal of a single or multiple wipes from the dispensingcontainer. Preferably, the wipes are packaged in rolls, stacks, piles orare interleafed. According to any of these configurations, each wipe isreleasably attached to an adjacent wipe. More preferably, the wipes areprovided in a stacked configuration which may comprise any number ofwipes. Typically, the stack comprises from 2 to 150, more preferablyfrom 5 to 100, most preferably from 10 to 60 wipes. Moreover, the wipes8 may be provided folded or unfolded. Most preferably, the wipes arestacked in a folded configuration as described in U.S. Pat. App.2006/0180596 to Young et al., which is specifically incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a container 100 is shown according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The container 100 generallycomprises two components: a base 110 and a lid 120. The lid 120 may beremovably attached to the base 110 or the lid 120 may be fixedlyattached to the base 1 10. The base 110 may define a hollow compartmentto store wipes. The container 100 may be any suitable size or shape,including but not limited to cubic, rectangular, pyramidal, cylindrical,conical, or spherical. In one embodiment, the container 100 may begenerally cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIG. 1. A cylindrical shapeallows for a user to easily and comfortably grip the container 100 whiledispensing wipes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lid 120 is shown according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The lid 120 may generally include twocomponents: a cover 210 and a body 220. As shown, the cover 210 may beconnected to the body 220. It may be desirable to have the cover 210connected to the body 220 in a manner that allows the cover 210 topivot. In one embodiment, the cover 210 may be permanently attached tothe body 220 by a living hinge 212. The hinge 212 may be integrallyformed with the cover 210 and the body 220. Any suitable hinge or hingesmay be used to connect the cover 210 to the body 220. The hinge 212 mayenable the cover 210 to pivot between an open position and a closedposition. In one embodiment, the cover 210 is connected to the body 220by a hinge 212 on the body top surface.

The body 220 may generally be said to have a top surface 222 and a sidesurface 224. The cover 210 may generally be said to have a top face 214and a side face 216. The top face 214 of the cover 210 may communicatewith the top surface 222 of the body 220, and the side face of the cover210 may communicate with at least a portion of the side surface 224 ofthe body 220.

In one embodiment, the body 220 may have an indentation 226 formedtherein. The indentation 226 may be formed in a portion of the topsurface 222 of the body 220 and in a portion of the side surface 224 ofthe body 220, as best shown in FIG. 2. The indentation 226 may allow forthe cover 210 to be securely shut. The cover 210 may be sized and shapedto fit on or over the indentation 226 defined in the body 220. The cover210 may not cover the entire indentation 226. Instead, a portion of theindentation 226 may be accessible to a user when the cover 210 is closedto allow a user to open the cover 210 from a closed position. The cover210 may frictionally engage the body 220 by fitting into the indentation226. The cover 210 may be snapped into place for securing the cover 210to the body 220. The cover 210 may be any suitable size and shape;though, in one non-limiting embodiment it is generally consistent insize and shape to that of the indentation 226. It will be appreciatedthat other manners for securing the cover 210 to the body 220 may beused. For example, the cover 210 may be removably connected to the body220.

The indentation 226 formed in the body 220 may have a recessed well 228therein. The recessed well 228 may be formed at the end opposite ofwhere the cover 210 may be connected to the base 1 10. The depth of therecessed well 228 may range from 0.5 and 0.75 inches. However, the depthof the recessed well 228 may be between 0.25 inches and 1 inch. Thedepth of the recessed well 228 may be changed as necessary and/ordesired in other embodiments of the invention.

The recessed well 228 may be of any suitable shape so as to allow thehead of wipes to reside in the well 228 without being compressed whenthe cover 210 is closed. In one embodiment, the recessed well may besubstantially semi-circular, as best shown in FIG. 2. The recessed wellmay have a side wall 240 and a bottom surface 230. In one embodiment,the side wall 240 may be curved or have multiple faces. The recessedwell 228 may be formed in the body 220 to define a space for the head ofa wipe to reside when the cover 210 is closed.

In one embodiment, the recessed well 228 may have a first opening 232located on the bottom surface 230. The bottom surface 230 of therecessed well 228 may be completely flat or may be substantiallyparallel to the top surface 222 of the body 220. The first opening 232may serve as the dispensing opening for the stored wipes.

The body 220 may also have a second opening 234 on the side surface 224of the body 220 through the indention 226. The first opening 232 may bein communication with second opening 234 via a channel 236, whichprovides an area of restriction between the first opening 232 and thesecond opening 234. The second opening 234 may serve as the openingthrough which wipes are loaded into the base 110 of the container 100.The second opening 234 may also serve as the opening through which afirst wipe is accessed by a user. For example, when a user first opensthe cover 210, the second opening 234 allows for a user to reach in thecontainer 100 and grab a first wipe. Before the user fully removes thefirst wipe, it may be moved through the channel 236 into the firstopening 232. The first wipe may then be fully removed. When the firstwipe is removed, the head of the next wipe may then be simultaneouslydrawn upward through the first opening 232. The head of the next wipethen resides in space created by the recessed well 228. The recessedwell 228 prevents the wipe from being compressed or forced back throughthe first opening 232 when the cover 210 is closed.

The first opening 232 and second opening 234 may be of different sizesand shapes. In one embodiment, first opening 232 may be smaller than thesecond opening 234. In this embodiment, the first opening 232 may besized to help prevent the wipe from falling back through the firstopening 232. It will be appreciated that the first opening 232 andsecond opening 234 may lie in the same plane. In another embodiment, thefirst opening 232 and second opening 234 may both be located in therecessed well 228.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the lid 120 may also include one ormore ergonomic gripping recesses 238. The ergonomic gripping recess 238may be formed or molded along the outer periphery of the lid 120 or thebody 220 of the lid 120. Where the cover 210 extends substantially overthe sidewall of the body 220, the gripping recess 238 may be located onthe cover (not shown). The gripping recess 238 may be shaped toaccommodate the natural orientation of a user's grip. The ergonomicgripping recess 238 may include one or more separate finger recesses. Inone embodiment, the gripping recess 238 includes a single finger contourthat may be substantially oblong or elongate in shape. The grippingrecess 238 may have a width to accommodate an average adult finger. Inone embodiment, the gripping recess 238 may be located on the lid 120opposite from the side face 216 of the cover 210. The gripping recess238 may reach across half of the circumference of the lid 120. Thevertical location of the gripping recess 238 relative to where the lid120 is attached to the base 110 may be changed to best accommodate auser's grip. The size and shape of the gripping recess 238 may also bechanged depending on the size and shape of the container 100.

In one embodiment, there may be more than one ergonomic gripping recess238. The gripping recess 238 may also be formed to accommodate a user'sthumb. In that embodiment, the thumb contour may be positionedperpendicularly around the lid 120 with respect to a vertical axis. Inanother embodiment, the lid 120 may include gripping surfaces inaddition to or in replacement of the gripping recess 238. The grippingsurfaces, for example, may be textured surfaces made of differentmaterial from that of the container 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lid 120 is shown with the cover 210 in aclosed position. In a closed position, the cover 210 fits securely intothe indentation 226 formed on the body 220. The cover may befriction-fitted or snap-fitted into the indentation 226. It should beunderstood that the cover 210 may be fitted into the indentation 226 beany other known means.

In one embodiment, the cover 210 may lie flush with the top surface 222and side surface 224. The cover 210 may extend over the top surface 222and fit into the indentation 226, with the side face 215 fitting intoportion of the indentation 226 on the side surface 224 of the body 220.In one embodiment, the cover 210 may not cover the entire top surface222, or the entire side surface 224, of the body 220. In one embodiment,the majority of the cover 210, when closed, lies substantially in thesame plane as the top surface 222 of the body 220.

In one embodiment, the top of the lid 120 may have a concave curvature.The top of the lid 120 may define a plane that forms an angle withrespect to a horizontal plane. In other words, the top of the lid 120may be sloped downward from the pivot point to the where the cover 210extends over the top surface 222. The top of the lid 120 may be slopedwith respect to a horizontal plane at an angle between about 10 degreesand about 20 degrees. However, the top surface 222 may be sloped withrespect to a horizontal plane to include any angle between about 5degrees and 45 degrees. The angle at which the top of the lid 120 issloped may be changed as necessary and/or desired in other embodimentsof the invention.

The lid 120 may also have a portion of the indentation 226 accessiblebelow the side face 216 of the cover 210 when closed The portion of theindentation 226 accessible to a user when the cover 210 is closed mayallow a user to open the cover 210. For example, a portion of theindentation 226 may be of a semi-circular shape located below the cover210. In one embodiment, the cover 210 may be a front opening cover. Theportion of the indentation 226 may be sized and shaped to accommodate auser's finger or thumb for opening the cover 210.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lid 120 may have threads 410 for fitting thelid 120 to the base 110 of the container 100. The threads 410 may belocated along the inner wall of the lid 120 in order to screw the lid120 onto the base 110. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, thelid 120 may be manufactured with one or more ridges 510 so that the lid120 may be snap-fitted into the base 110 of the container 100. It willbe appreciated that the lid 120 may be removably attached to a containerusing any known means. For example, the lid 120 may be manufactured soas to friction-fit it with the container. In another embodiment, the lid120 may even be permanently attached to, or integral with, the container100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the container 100 is shown according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the lid 120may be attached to the base 110 of the container. The base may have abottom surface 610. The base 110 may define a hollow compartment tostore moistened wipes. The base 110 may accommodate a plurality ofinterfolded or perforated wipes, as is well known in the art. The base110 may be of any suitable shape or size depending on the number andtype of wipes housed. A larger base 110 may provide a larger storagecapacity for wipes.

In one embodiment, the base 110 may have a substantially cylindricalshape. The base 110 may have one or more ergonomic contours 612. Theergonomic contours 612 may be shaped to accommodate the naturalorientation of a user's grip to maximize user comfort. As shown in FIG.6, the contours 612 may form a tapered design in which the base 110 hasa tapered middle region. In other words, the base 110 may have itsnarrowest point at or near the center of the base 110. The ergonomiccontours 612 may create a gradual taper to prevent a wipe from gettingstuck in a crevice at the bottom of the base 110. The base 110 may alsohave ergonomic gripping recesses similar to those shown in the lid 120in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment, the base 110 may be tapered such that the bottomsurface 610 of the base 110 may have a larger diameter than the point atwhich the base 110 is attached to the lid 120. In another embodiment,the bottom surface 610 may have the same or a smaller diameter than thepoint at which the base 110 is attached to the lid 120. In anotherembodiment, the ergonomic contours 612 may include a hand contour or aset of separate finger contours. The base 110 may also include grippingsurfaces to ensure a user can securely hold the container 100.

In one embodiment, the base 110 may be tall enough so a consumer canhold the base 110 with an entire hand. In other words, the height of thebase 110 from the bottom surface to the point where the lid 120 isattached to the base 110 may measure at least the width of an averageadult palm. In another embodiment, the base 110 may be shallow enough toallow a user to access the last wipe (should the need arise) withouthaving to tilt or invert the container.

In another embodiment, the base 110 may have ergonomic contours 612 thatcooperate with any ergonomic gripping recesses that may be located onthe lid 120. For example, a first ergonomic finger contour may belocated on the lid 120 and a second, third, and fourth contour may belocated on the base 110. Further, the base 110 may have multipleergonomic contours disposed around the circumference of the base 110.

Referring to FIG. 7, the container 100 is shown according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the lid 120may have a large recessed well 228. The recessed well 228 may coversubstantially the same area as the indentation 226. In this embodiment,the container 100 may have the same features as those described above.

Referring to FIG. 8, the container 100 is shown according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the container100 may be rectangular. The lid 120 may have the same features asdescribed previously according to embodiments of the invention.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a container base definingan interior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached to thecontainer base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the bodyhaving a top surface and a side surface; an indentation extending overthe top surface onto to the side surface; wherein the cover is connectedto the body by a hinge on the body top surface; wherein the coversecures over at least a portion of the indentation and the cover extendsover only a portion of the lid body top surface onto only a portion ofthe lid body side surface; and wherein the lid body has a first openingon the body top surface a second opening on the body side surface andthe first opening and the second opening are in communication. 2.(canceled)
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the top of the lid issloped downward from back to front at an angle relative to a horizontalplane.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the top of the lid includesa concave curvature.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the secondopening is larger than the first opening and there is an area ofconstriction between the first opening and the second opening.
 6. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the body has a recessed well having a sidesurface and a bottom surface containing the first opening but not thesecond opening and the recessed well is located on the body top surfaceopposite of where the cover is pivotally attached to the body.
 7. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably attached to thecontainer.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the majority of thecover, when closed, lies substantially in the same plane as the topsurface.
 9. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a container basedefining an interior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached tothe container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, thebody having a top surface and a side surface and the cover extendingover the top surface onto at least a portion of the side surface; thelid body having a first opening on the body top surface a second openingon the body side surface and the first opening and the second openingare in communication; and a recessed well in the body top surface thatincludes the first opening but not the second opening, wherein therecessed well creates a space beneath the cover when the cover is in aclosed position.
 10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed wellhas a depth between 0.25 inches and 1 inch.
 11. The dispenser of claim9, wherein the opening in the recessed well extends over the top surfaceonto at least a portion of the side surface of the body.
 12. Thedispenser of claim 9, wherein the second opening is larger than thefirst opening and there is an area of constriction between the firstopening and the second opening.
 13. The dispenser of claim 9, whereinthe top surface of the lid is sloped downward from back to front at anangle relative to a horizontal plane.
 14. The dispenser of claim 9,wherein the recessed well is substantially semi-circular when viewedfrom above.
 15. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well islocated opposite of where the cover is pivotally attached to the body.16. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well coverssubstantially the same area as the cover.
 17. A dispenser for cleaningwipes, comprising: a container base defining an interior compartment forstoring wipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lidincludes a cover enclosing an opening for dispensing wipes and a body,the cover having a pivotal attachment means connected to the body; andan ergonomic gripping recess on the outer periphery of the lid below thecover attachment means.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The dispenser of claim 17,wherein the ergonomic gripping recess is positioned perpendicularlyaround the lid with respect to a vertical axis.
 20. (canceled) 21.(canceled)
 22. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the container base issubstantially cylindrical.
 23. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein thecontainer base has a bottom surface with approximately the same diameteras the diameter where the lid is attached to the container base.